Where are the Book of Mormon plates now?
(Replica of The Book of Mormon plates.)
The Prophet Joseph Smith records that Moroni was in "charge" of the Book of Mormon plates. In other words Moroni was the caretaker of the plates.
When Joseph Smith received the plates, he was told that when he had finished translating the plates “arrangements” would be made to deliver them back to Moroni.
“…by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them, [the Book of Mormon plates] up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight." (Joseph Smith History 1:60)
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Evidence indicates that the Book of Mormon plates were then put in a depository cave which was filled with many other "sacred engravings”.
Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, 1877.
“…these plates now hidden in the hill Coumorah…”
(Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt 1877 Journal. of Discourses. Vol. 19, p. 218)
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Discourse by Brigham Young June 17, 1877.
"Oliver Cowdery went with the Prophet Joseph when he deposited these plates. Joseph did not translate all of the plates; there was a portion of them sealed, which you can learn from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph [Smith] got the plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back to the hill Cumorah, which he did. Oliver, [Cowdery], says that when Joseph and Oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into the cave, in which there was a large and spacious room."
Journal of Discourses Vol.19, Page 38
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Heber C. Kimball in 1856 recorded that the Book of Mormon plates were returned into a depository "cave" or room.
This depository "cave" or room and the event of seeing and being inside this cave, according to Heber C. Kimball, was a "vision".
“…the vision that Joseph [Smith] and others had, when [they went] into a cave in the hill Cumorah..." (Journal of Discourses Vol. 4, Page 105)
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A Dr. Poulson, living in Ogden, wrote to the editors of the Deseret News concerning a visit he had had with David Whitmer. The News published portions of the letter, part of it is as follows.
Dr. Poulson - Where are the plates now?
David Whitmer—In a cave, where the angel has hidden them up till the time arrives when the plates, which are sealed, shall be translated. God will yet raise up a mighty one, who shall do his work till it is finished and Jesus comes again.
Dr. Poulson - Where is that cave?
David Whitmer— In the state of New York.
Dr. Poulson - In the Hill Cumorah?
David Whitmer— No, but not far from that place.
(Deseret News, August 16, 1878.)
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Evidence indicates that there are two different hills, each hill is called Cumorah.
The hill Cumorah located in the State of New York.
The hill Cumorah in the Book of Mormon located in Mesoamerica.
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Conclusion:
With the various statements and available evidence, it is not evident which Hill Cumorah, the plates are deposited in.
-- Are they in the Hill Cumorah, the exact hill that the plates were despsited in the stone box, located in the State of New York?
-- Or, another Hill Cumorah close by in New York?
-- Or, are they deposited in the Hill Cumorah located in Mesoamerica as talked about in the Book of Mormon?
Regardless of the location, all of these plates are "deposited unto the Lord" and will be brought forth in his own do time. (Mormon 1:3 & Mormon 2:17)
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Additional Information:
The Hill Cumorah
A Vision of a Depository Cave in a hill called Cumorah